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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Music (03/08/07)
I came to the Lord through a song, or perhaps I should say, He came to me. Whatever way around it was, music has forever been a very close part of my life.

Standing in the assembly hall in high school, I was 14 years of age and surrounded by several hundred high school girls. We had been standing for the school anthem and then the visiting choral group followed with a song called “He is My Everything”. It was in the days of Engelbert Humperdinck’s highlight years and the tune was his very well known song of an almost similar title. I had known of Jesus all of my life, having grown up in church and Sunday School but the song somehow brought it all very close to me – in fact inside my heart. As I listened to the words I had a sudden growing realisation that Jesus was very real and my attempt at prayers and conversation with Him in the past would no longer be a mechanisation, but was instantly made real and personal.

The other girls in the hall faded from view and suddenly I was in a room that had become white and bright and the only people in it were Jesus and me. A part of me knew that the rest of the assembly were still there, I could hear them coughing or sniffling in the background, and the choir was still singing, but somehow their sound was now angelic and something was happening inside of me.

Tears streamed down my cheeks unchecked as the knowledge of a real Jesus took hold within me. I pulled out a hanky to start blowing my nose and wipe my tears as I saw Jesus smile and nod at me and then fade away again as the current ‘real’ images began to reappear. I looked around and saw the occasional girl wiping tears away from her cheeks and I wondered if they saw the same vision I had. A personal encounter with my Jesus that has stayed with me now for well over thirty years.

A love for singing took hold and over the years I have sung in duets, trios, groups and choirs. It seems that whenever I am singing for Him I am singing my best. I feel it go through my entire body and when the harmonies are right a shiver moves through me and I break out in goose bumps. I can’t explain; it just does and I know the sound mix is right. I have written many songs about our Lord, and the very first was probably only a few short weeks after I accepted him as my Lord and Saviour back there in 1972.

The visiting choral group that came to my high school in those days probably will never know just how many people they brought to the Lord through their wonderful gift but I am eternally grateful for their music and their introduction to a personal Jesus.

Postscript: Engelbert Humperdinck celebrated his 40th anniversary in January this year of his first release ‘Please Release Me’ and his favourite hymn to sing is ‘Jerusalem’ which has recently been released as a single. The singing choral group that visited my high school all those years ago I never heard of again but they did a good work in those days and I am sure they touched many hearts and souls with their music.

Ps 13:6 I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me. NIV
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This article has been read 1237 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Julie Arduini
03/16/07
It's amazing the things and people the Lord will use to bring us to Him. This was a great read and I really enjoyed the postcript.
Chrissi Ellankoon
03/17/07
God is so creative! You never can quite tell when or how Jesus will choose to reveal Himself to us. This is a beautiful testimony of a young girl's encounter with the Lord.
Jacquelyn Horne
03/19/07
Very touching account of a renewed dedication to the Lord.
Myrna Noyes
03/21/07
This is a wonderful testimony of the power of music in the hands of the Lord! I really appreciated reading how He touched and forever changed your heart right there in assembly that day! Thank you for sharing this with us! :)
Loren T. Lowery
03/21/07
Wonderful testimony as to the mysterious ways God works in our lives. That He touched you through music shows a great deal about the creative nature of your soul.
Angela M. Baker-Bridge
03/21/07
Thank you for sharing your personal testimony and another layer of who you really are. It's wonderful how we can get to know each other though the miles separate us. I LOVE harmony too! Maybe we can stand next to each other in heaven :)
Sharlyn Guthrie
03/21/07
I love reading personal testimonies, and yours is precious! Music has always been powerful in my life, too. Thanks for the inspiration.
Shari Armstrong 
03/21/07
This gave me chills!
Joanney Uthe 
03/21/07
I love the discription of your vision and the importance being alone with Christ even in the midst of an assembly. Great writting and great message.
Cassie Memmer
03/22/07
Thanks for sharing this, Kathie. I know exactly what you mean about singing. I may feel bad, but when I begin to praise and worship our God and Lord, NOTHING else matters. Let the sky fall, it wouldn't matter. He is so worthy. Music has always had a very profound effect on me also. What would we do without this gift from Him? Blessings!
Joanne Sher 
03/22/07
What a neat testimony - well written as well! You did a great job of conveying the atmosphere!